Temps in the 40s, mostly cloudy, rain in the morning, Wind S to SW to N to NW15-25 mph
Weather, May 20, 2026
Slow day today.
I found the Black-headed Gull down at Sweeper Cove this morning.
Wood Sandpipers continue in good numbers. On the road, in any little wet area, etc.
The shorebird flock near Landing Lights varies during the day. Sometimes it is all Rock Sandpipers, sometimes Dunlins and Red-necked Stints, etc.
I saw a Peregrine Falcon twice today at Clam Lagoon.
But the bird of the day was a Common Tern!
This is the longipennis subspecies, normally found in Asia.
Aaron (of course!) found it sitting (the bird, not Aaron!) on the Landing Lights structure.
Common Tern, Landing Lights, May 20, 2026
Common Tern, Landing Lights, May 20, 2026
Notice the black bill and dark overall plumage.
This was an Adak bird for me!
There are at least 4 previous records for Adak, the most recent in 1987.
I was passing by there about an hour or so later, and noticed it was no longer sitting there.
However, there were two terns flying around, so I thought I might get a flight shot.
No such luck. The birds were Arctics.
Arctic Tern, Landing Lights, May 20, 2026
Aaron and his group from Wilderness Adventures left today, but another group from there came in, as did a High Lonesome tour group, and veteran Adak birder, Sam Brayshaw.
Hello Mr and Mrs America and all the ships at sea. Broadcasting live from the Eurasian Sparrowhawk capital of North America…
It wasn’t a Lifer, but it felt like one!
Temps in the 40s, mostly cloudy, a few light showers, Wind SW switching to SE 10-20 mph
Weather, May 19, 2026
As I was headed down to Sweeper Cannel this morning, I heard Aaron’s group call about a “different” bird. They were at Sweeper Creek, so I joined them. It was a Hawfinch. I didn’t get a photo op. They later found 2 more.
I headed down to Finger Bay. A lot of Ancient Murrelets and a bunch of Red-necked Grebes and a Pacific Wren.
I roamed about with no other new birds and stopped for lunch at the Adak National Forest. After about 15 minutes, three Bramblings popped out into the willows. There are at least6 Bramblings on the island right now (probably more).
Up at the pond at the Elfin Forest, a mallard was escorting her brood to safety.
Mallard with ducklings, Elfin Forest Pond, May 19, 2026
There was nothing new on the south end of Clam Lagoon (high tide).
I continued north and got to the Blue Building Feeder. I stopped as I usually do about 100 yads away and scan the feeder and the spruce trees. Not seeing anything, I slowly drove closer. When I was about 30 yards away, am Accipiter burst out of the largest tree, circled and flew south.
By the time I stumbled out of the car and got my camera into flight mode, all I got were “flying away” shots. But they were good enough.
It was a Eurasian Sparrowhawk! My second for Adak (remember, it was Barb and I who found the first one in 2016!). Notice on the photo below the strong white eyeline (supercilium).
Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Blue Building Feeder, May 19, 2026
And in the next photo, the strong barring all the way down the belly.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Blue Building Feeder, May 19, 2026
Was it one of those that wintered here? A new one? Aaron and I have both noticed a decline in the numbers of Rosy-Finches and Song Sparrows this year. Is this why?
I couldn’t reach Aaron, so I continued around the lagoon, through the breaches area to the Seawall. I got my Red-faced Cormorant for the trip and a Black Oystercatcher (Are they really “catching” oysters or just picking them up?).
At Lake Shirley, the Tufted Duck count was up to 4.
Tufted Duck, Lake Shirley, May 19, 2026
After checking Lake Ronnie (a Mallard and one American Goldeneye), I stopped at Candlestick Bridge and was finally able to reach Aaron. They were on their way up to Clam Lagoon. I met them at the Blue Building Feeder, but of course, no hawk.
Maybe a watch at the Sparrowhawk Grove tonight…
I headed home. The shorebird flock near the Landing Lights was Dunlins and Red-necked Stints today.
Down at Kuluk beach, I found the Black-headed Gull that had been hanging around.
Black-headed Gull, Kuluk Beach, May 19, 2026
And, to top it all off, when I got to my house, there were three Wood Sandpipers on the street in front of it!
Temps in the 40s, mostly overcast, occasional drizzle, wind SSW 15-20 mph
Weather, May 18, 2026
I checked Sweeper Channel first thing this morning, but the tide was so high that the only shorebird was a Dunlin at the creek’s mouth.
So I headed north, hoping to get the Falcated Duck at Clam Lagoon for photo ops. Aaron’s group had seen it closer to shore in the early morning.
As I passed the Landing Lights, I saw several shorebirds on the road. I quickly identified two of them as Siberian Sand-Plovers. The other one, I couldn’t make out and they soon flew away.
When I returned to the house later and reviewed my photos, I saw that it was a Temminck’s Stint (which Aaron’s group had there yesterday).
Temminck’s Stint (right, with Siberian Sand-Plover (left), on road near Landing Lights, May 18, 2026
As I passed the Marsh, a Wood Sandpiper flew up from the side of the road and posed.
Wood Sandpiper, Clam Lagoon, May 18, 2026
This is one of those “Wood Sandpiper years.” They are everywhere!
The tide was obviously high at Clam Lagoon, so few birds were out on the water (not sure why?). Especially the Falcated, which was staying out on the open water, rather than on the flats.
A typical sight on the lagoon are Sea Otters trying to enjoy their meals without interference…
Glaucous-winged Gulls waiting for scraps or hoping to steal from a Sea Otter, Clam Lagoon, May 18, 2026
I continued along Clam Lagoon, then over to the Andrew Lake Recreation Center.
No birds of note, but I did get the annual mandatory rainbow photo!
Rainbow over Andrew Lake Feeder, May 18, 2026
As I neared the Blue Building Feeder, a Gyrfalcon flew by in pursuit of a Rock Ptarmigan. They disappeared over the hill, so I didn’t see the outcome.
Other birds I picked up today around Clam Lagoon included American Green-winged Teal, Kittlitz’s Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Pacific Loon, and Arctic Tern.
On the way back to town, I had a flock of shorebirds at the Landing Lights Beach, including 9 Red-necked Stints, Dunlins, Rock Sandpipers, and Sanderlings.
Red-necked Stints, Landing Lights Beach, May 18, 2026
I then went down to Sweeper Channel (since the tide had ebbed). Nothing new, but a really nice photo-op of a Red-necked Stint.
Red-necked Stint, Sweeper Channel, May 18, 2026
Aaron was supposed to go on a boat trip today, but it was cancelled. So he agreed to meet me at the Breaches to try the new road.
I met him up there and we put our vehicles in 4-wheel drive and plowed through. We made it, but it didn’t feel like I was going to…
The road from the breaches to the Seawall was clear, but the road on top of the Seawall was littered with debris. Mostly logs, and other floatable stuff.
I cleared it off as I drove down the road (just enough to let vehicles through).
I continued down to Lake Shirley. I parked at a distance so as not to flush the ducks that were there. Besides the Greater Scaup and Eurasian Wigeon were 3 Tufted Ducks!
I turned around (so I wouldn’t flush them) and went back to Aaron’s group and alerted them.
I headed back home, checking hotspots as I did. Nothing new.
This is a decent number considering no Seawall birding. I didn’t spend much time there today, as it was late in the day and I was waning. Tomorrow, I hope to do some serious birding there.
Today’s weather was intermittent. Intermittent clouds, Intermittent sun, Intermittent drizzle, Intermittent snow, Intermittent sleet. The only thing not Intermittent was the wind, SW 15-25 mph.
Weather, May 17, 2026
I started off my usual day by checking feeders and Sweeper Cove. I then headed to Sweeper Channel.
I first noted the usual Rock Sandpipers, but then a Wood Sandpiper appeared, then another one, and so on. Eventually I had 17 there.
Wood Sandpiper, Sweeper Channel, May 17, 2026
Then I saw a Common Greenshank!
Common Greenshank, Sweeper Channel, May 17, 2026
Later, when I got up to the end of the Sweeper Channel Road, I saw another one, but I think it was the same one I saw earlier. Later on, Aaron only had one Greenshank there.
The next thing I saw was a Red-necked Stint.
Red-necked Stint, Sweeper Channel, May 17, 2026
Then another…
Red-necked Stints, Sweeper Channel, May 17, 2026
In the afternoon, I returned to look for a Dunlin that Aaron had. I got it.
Dunlin, Sweeper Channel, May 17, 2026
I headed north and stopped at the High School Spruces, where a freshly fed Short-eared Owl was perched.
Short-eared Owl, High School Spruces, May 17, 2026
I ran into Aaron’s group. I told him about the birds at Sweeper. He had been walking the marsh edge at Clam Lagoon and added Temmink’s Stint. He also had a Wood Sandpiper.
I headed up to Clam in hopes of getting better photos of the Garganey and Falcated Duck.
A tiny bit better on the Garganey, but couldn’t find the Falcated.
Garganey, Clam Lagoon, May 17, 2026
I next headed over to Andrew Lake, where I went through a snow squall. Hoever, I did find a Common Loon and two Great Egrets.
Great Egrets, Andrew Lake, May 17, 2026-
On my wat back from Andrew Lake, I got a call from Aaron that there were three Siberian Sand-Plovers at Landing Lights Beach!
I was only 3 minutes away.
Siberian Sand-Plover, Landing Lights Beach, May 17, 2026
By the time Aaron’s group left there, there were 4!
I visited a few more spots and called it a day.
At 7:15 PM, as I was editing these photos for this blog, Aaron called me and told me there was a Great Knot at Clam Lagoon!
Off I flew…
Sure enough, another lifer!
Great Knot with Black-bellied Plover, Clam Lagoon, May 17, 2026
Great Knot, Clam Lagoon, May 17, 2026
There are two previous records for Adak: June 4, 1971 and June 9, 1982.
Also up at the lagoon were 10 or so Dunlin, 9 Red-necked Stints, a Temminck’s Stint, some Sanderlings, and who knows what else. I saw the Red-necks and Dunlins, but not the Temminck’s or Sanderings.
I haven’t updated my eBird list and trip list yet, but will add those stats to these blog posts once I do.
A side note: When I went to fill the Blue Building Feeder yesterday, there were pellets on it.
Owl pellets, Blue Building Feeder, May 17, 2026
I assume a Short-eared Owl, but maybe a Eurasian Eagle Owl…
One can dream!
Clam Lagoon Road
As some of you are aware, the Breaches on the east side of Clam Lagoon were breached last winter. The storm washed a lot of large rocks, sand, pebbles, and other debris over the road, making it impassable. So you couldn’t get to the Seawall, Lake Shirley, etc.
Upon hearing about this, I contacted some people on Adak in an effort to repair the road, enabling vehicles to drive through it.
I finally found an individual (Cody) who felt he could do it (for a fee). I agreed and asked him to proceed. I then created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for this project.
The fundraising was successful ($5000!) and Cody got to work. However, it was more daunting than he imagined. He was able to clear a lot of the large rocks, etc., but the sandy soil that was washed over has proven to be more difficult.
The problem is that a large puddle (when it rains) was created that you have to drive through. However, at the south end of this puddle is an embankment that you have to drive up to get back on to the old road. This embankment consists of that sand and pebbles I mentioned, making it very slippery and easy to get stuck in.
Looking north. The old road was just to the right of my car.Entrance to the puddle from the north. This is easy to enter and exit.Exit from the puddle at the south end. This is where the problem is.You can see the old road just over the large boulders in the upper center of the photo. The photo doesn’t do it justice.Another view of the south exit.View of the area from the south.This photo was taken from the old road. You can see how you have to turn back up here to get to it.Another view from the southAnother view from the south showing more of the east side.The mounds on the right are the Seawall which was breached. Sitkin Sound is to the right of the Seawall.
I have not yet tried to drive it, as I don’t want to try it alone. In the next day or two, Aaron’s group will try and I will join him. So if there is a problem, help will be on hand.
I am working with Cody to find a solution.
Meanwhile, the Aleut Corporation, who owns the road, has agreed to assay it for long-term improvements. Time will tell.
It is already 10 PM, so I will keep it brief and go into more detail tomorrow.
I found a breeding-plumaged Black-bellied Plover on Clam Lagoon. This was only my second on Adak, and the previous one was in winter plumage. So tis was nice.
Black-bellied Plover, Clam Lagoon, May 16, 2026Black-bellied Plover, Clam Lagoon, May 16, 2026Black-bellied Plover and Pacific Golden-Plover, Clam Lagoon, May 16, 2026
Aaron’s group found a Falcated Duck, Garganey, and 2 Tundra Bean-Geese at Clam Lagoon. I got to see all of them, but too far out for photos.
Here they are anyway…
Falcated Duck, Clam Lagoon, May 16, 2026Garganey, Clam Lagoon, May 16, 2026Tundra Bean Geese, Clam Lagoon, May 16, 2026
Temps in the low 50s, overcast until late in the day, rain until mid-afternoon, Wind SW 20-40 mph diminishing late in the day
Weather, October 3, 2025
The day started out on a sour note. The power went out in the middle of the night again, but this time the backup generator at this set of houses wouldn’t start. Mark finally got it going later in the morning, but it made for a cold breakfast by flashlight to start the day.
As soon as it was light enough to see, I headed out, even though the conditions were not too freindly.
However, I was able to tally some birds and the weather turned nicer (but still not nice) later in the day.
The first highlight of the day was three Stellar’s Sea Lions off the Seawall. I had never seen three here (although I had seen a bunch on their rookery on our first Whiskered Auklet boat trip many moons ago) so it was a treat.
Stellar’s Sea Lions, Seawall, October 3, 2025
On my way back towards town I stopped at the Palisades Overlook and spotted a Yellow-billed Loon (trip bird). Of course it was too far for a decent photo, but even in an impossible to focus, waves bobbing, wind blowing photo, you can see the yellow bill and odd head shape.
Yellow-billed Loon, Palisades Overlook, October 3, 2025
Back down at the Sweeper Cove bay watch, five Black Scoters were not too far out.
Black Scoter, Kuluk Bay, October 3, 2025
I took an early afternoon nap and then ventured out again as the rain ended and the sun actually appeared for a (very) few minutes.
As I was scanning the waterfowl on Clam Lagoon, I spotted a large shorebird. It turned out to be a late Bar-tailed Godwit (I tried to make it into a Black-tailed…).
Bar-tailed Godwit (left) with Common Teal, Clam Lagoon, October 3, 2025
It was with a flock of 175+ Common Teal, which ebird said was too many… Their algorthym has never been to Adak!
Again, on the way back, at the Palisades Overlook, a Gyrfalcon posed nicely.
Gyrfalcon, Palisades Overlook, October 3, 2025
I leave Adak at 3 PM tomorrow and will be home Sunday afternoon.
My final post for this trip will be either Sunday or Monday, depending on how tired I am.
Temps in the low 50s, partly sunny, Wind SW 15-30 mph
Weather, October 2, 2025
Another nice day on Adak, but windy.
I usually start my day by going to the mouth of Sweeper Cove (at the base of the breakwall) and scan Kuluk Bay for alcids, etc. (still looking for puffins!).
No sooner had I raised my binos, than a flock of a few dozen Short-tailed Shearwaters filled my view. They were between me and the nearby rocky islands. I am guessing they were only about 1500 feet off shore. Very close for tubenoses.
They quickly ventured farther out in the bay. I went up to the Kuluk Bay overlook in hopes there were more, and there were, but they had moved much farther out. I watched for a while and saw more shearwaters, but no larger or smaller stiff-wings joined them.
I went down to the end of the closed runway to take my daily weather photo. I then scanned the runway and environs. Sitting in the middle of the runway were two Gyrfalcons, shortly joined by a third!
Gyrfalcons, October 2, 2025
I had never seen three gyrfalcons at once before. So this was a treat.
At Sweeper Channel, the Belted Kingfisher, which had eluded me since I saw it last Saturday, was present.
Belted Kingfisher, Sweeper Channel, October 2, 2025
The rest of the day was nice birding, but not for walking. I walked out the Clam Lagoon Peninsula (nothing new) but it was a slog walking back into 40 mph winds.
In the spring, Red-faced Cormorants are mostly seen off the Seawall, being careful to not get too close for decent photos… But in the fall, many of the young Red-faced have not yet learned that from their parents and venture elsewhere. My best Red-faced Cormorant photos are of young birds in the fall. They are very distinctive with white surrounding the bill (a feature not shown in most bird guides, by the way!).
There are always a bunch of cormorants roosting on the fuel dock — mostly Pelagics. Here is a young Red-faced mixed in.
Pelagic Cormorants and 1 Red-faced Cormorant, Fuel Dock, October 2, 2025
Temps in the 50s, mostly sunny, Wind WNW 15-20 mph
Weather, October 1, 2025
Another nice day on Adak. A little windy, but not too bad.
Up at Clam Lagoon, I spotted two Emperor Geese out on the flats.
I new that Vicky and Jen were in the area, so I called them and they arrived to add them to their trip list before flying home today.
At the Marsh, a Pectoral Sandpiper walked right up to my car.
Pectoral Sandpiper, the Marsh, October 1, 2025
I find many Pecs out here are rather tame.
After seeing the girls off at the airport, I headed up to the Loran Station. It was pouring rain last week when I tried, so I thought today might be a little better. And with the WNW winds, I thought maybe the seabirds would be closer in. NOT!
There were lots of Short-tailed Shearwaters and Laysan Albatrosses flying by, but way out. Identifiable in the scope, but not very satisfying. And no Black-footed or Short-tailed albatross…
On the way back, I stopped at the National Forest feeder. Too bad the rosy-finches don’t like my feeders…
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, Adak National Forest, October 1, 2025
I had two Bramblings at the Thrush Feeder.
I don’t see many sunsets out here (cloudy), so tonight’s was special.
Sunset, October 1, 2025
And here is Kuluk Bay in the fading light. Note the moon.
Kuluk Bay, October 1, 2025
I am now the only hardcore birder on the island for the next three days.
Temps in the 50s, overcast, moderate to light rain all day, Wind SSW 5-10 mph
Weather, September 30, 2025
Another rainy day, but not as bad as the last one. Although it never completely stopped, many times during the day it was so light as to be stopped.
And the wind was not bad.
Only one trip bird today, but it was a nice one.
I finally caught up to one of the Eurasian Skylarks that had been reported. As usual, it was in the middle of the road. This photo was through the windshield in the rain…
Eurasian Skylark, Clam Lagoon, September 30, 2025
At the Seawall, I saw some more Thick-billed Murres.
Thick-billed Murres, Seawall, September 30, 2025
After not seeing any Oystercatchers the first week, I saw 12 today!
I had a Brambling at the National Forest this morning (one of many that are here right now).
I had Brambling on only 11 of my first 25 trips out here (although Bramblings were seen by others on some of those trips, just not by me.).
However, I have had Bramblings on the last 8 consectutive trips (Spring and Fall). They appear to be more regular now. I’m sure I just put the hex on next year’s spring trip…
Here is one of the many Peregrine Falcons hanging around.
Peregrine Falcon, Marina, September 30, 2025
As I mentioned a few days ago, the Wigeon population exploded. Well, so have the overall numbers of waterfowl. The numbers of Mallards, Northern Pintails, Greater Scaup, and Common Teal have all increased dramatically the past few days.
I have been here in other Septembers when the Wigeon numbers increaed dramatically at the end of September, but had not seen the other waterfowl increasel as well. I assumed that most waterfowl started arriving later in October. That is probably true, but this year it is certainly early.
Here is a photo of just some of the waterfowl on Clam Lagoon today.
